23 Jun 2016

The Word and Music (Giveaway)

by | posted in: Shepherding Children, Uncategorized, Worship | 2

We have started to see some exciting things in our boys!  They are not only able to learn the Word, but they are eager to do it!

When we moved into our new rental home, we started making a concerted effort to teach our kids the Word.  We knew this would not only help us but also help them.  We started with “When I am afraid I will trust in you.”  Then we have been working on Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.”  It is so cute to hear them say it, to say it at random times, and to want to say it all by themselves.

Another great way to teach kids Scripture is through music.  And Seeds Worship has some great music that teaches kids the Word of God.  It is a joy to hear them singing in the backseat as we drive to donut day, to church, or to the park.

One of my favorites right now by Seeds is their Praise CD.  Has some great verses on it for kids (and adults) about trusting, our words, and the Word of God.  I love singing along to it – and even getting my littles to “dance” in the car with me – so when others look in from the outside they won’t think I’m the only strange one.  The songs Sing for Joy and Mighty to Save are two of my personal faves that I just SING LOUD on!  I want to teach my children to sing for everything they have – sing with abandon to the God who created them.

If you would like to win the Praise CD from Seeds, just tell me what songs you and your children love to sing.  And I’ll pick a winner soon.

Seeds sent me these CDs to listen to and love, but all opinions are my own!

1 Oct 2014

31 Days of Hymns

by | posted in: 31days | 0

 

31 Days of Hymns

I grew up in a small town in between two of the largest cities in Florida.  I went to an even smaller town to go to a tiny church until high school.  We sang hymns.  You know the 4 verses with amen at the end.  I could play most of them on the piano by the time I got to high school.  And just if you ask…we either sang all four stanzas or 1, 2, and last.  That’s just how it went.

Some of those hymns were solid and deeply rooted in Scripture.  Others were rooted in feel good theology which is seldom really good theology anyway.

One of the perks of being married to someone who loves music is the depth of knowledge of hymns that he brings to my life.  He has made me think more about the music we sing than I might have ever done otherwise.

So, for the month of October, I’m joining with The Nester again and (hopefully) writing on some of my favorite and requested hymns – both old and new – to hopefully deepen our love for God, His Word, His Church, and deep solid rich lyrics of hymns.

What are some of your favorite hymns?

Tomorrow: Thou Who Wast Rich

5 Aug 2014

Teaching Children Theology: Jesus Loves Me

by | posted in: Shepherding Children | 0

Jesus Loves Me

Music.  You know that song that gets stuck in your head and you sing it for the next 4 days…as you bide your time waiting for another song to take its place?!

Its a small world…

This is the song that never ends…

Any Christmas carol…

One of the very first songs that most church kids learn is Jesus Loves Me.  Simple.  Catchy.  Memorizable.

As I’ve been singing this with my children as we sit at the table or drive around town (Atlanta traffic usually offers much time for sitting in the car…still…on the interstate or at traffic lights)…I always get stuck on one line.

“For the Bible tell me so…”

Such a powerful truth of this song that is oft overlooked – and one that we as Christian parents need to teach our children from the beginning.

The Authority and Truthfulness of the Word of God.

If you don’t believe the Word is accurate and truthful and without error in what it says – then why believe it?  That is precisely why I hate political ads in our country.  You can never believe what is being said.  There is no use even trying to figure it out.  The good thing with the Bible is you don’t have to figure it out.

God said that the Word is true, living, active, useful for instruction.

The best thing the Bible teaches us is the Gospel.  No other way will we know that we need a Savior but by the Word of God.  And if we don’t believe what it says than how are we to believe what it says about us, or about Jesus, or about his love for us, His Children?

So, while you have the chance (Deuteronomy 6), please teach your children that God gave us His Word and it can be wholly believed and rested upon as they grow up, walk with Christ, and serve him in anyway He has for them.

 

2 Aug 2012

My God – Stuart Townend

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Gospel.  Jazz.  Two great pairings.  And the lyrics of Stuart Townend make this a go-to song.

This is actually one of my husband’s favorite songs and I heard it on Sunday and it had me in tears by the end of it.  Wherever you are broken – look to the Healer to be mended.

My God

 

My God, full of mercy,

Heard our weeping,

Came to bring us home again.

My God takes the broken and makes them whole.

 

My God touched the leper,

Raised the lame man,

And He caused the blind to see.

My God takes the broken and makes them whole.

 

My God stood for justice,

Shamed the prideful,

But He called the sinner friend.

My God takes the broken and makes them whole.

 

My God felt the anguish of the soldier,

Made his child to live again.

My God takes the broken and makes them whole.

 

My God, mocked and beaten,

Crushed and bleeding,

Yet crying, “Father God, forgive.”

My God became broken to make me whole.

 

My God on the third day, in the morning,

Broke the shackles of the grave.

My God took the broken and made them whole.

 

My God knows my failures,

He speaks forgiveness,

He gives me strength to try again.

My God takes the broken and makes them whole.

 

Words and Music by Stuart Townend

© 2006 Thankyou Music

 


23 Apr 2012

Behold Our God – Sovereign Grace Risen

by | posted in: Worship | 0

On our drive to Louisville a few weeks ago, this song was played in our car from the Sovereign Grace CD Risen (perfect for right around Easter time).  We also sang it during the one session I attended at the T4G conference.  What a powerful song!  E and I were talking about how it demands attention (not the song, but how it tells us to give attention to God)!

As far as musically – so powerful and singable.  I wonder also if you could also team it with Come, Let Us Adore Him at Christmas time. 

He is risen now to REIGN!

Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice

Chorus
Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King—nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him

Verse 2
Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the One who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

Verse 3
Who has felt the nails upon His hands?
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man
God eternal, humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign

Tag
You will reign forever
Let Your glory fill the earth

27 Jul 2011

New Music Spotlight – Arise My Soul

by | posted in: Worship | 1

I wanted to take this time to “plug” for a new(ish) CD that I’ve been blessed by.  And I hope you will be, too.

My fiance’ has had a really big year – God has truly blessed him immensely!  Back in March he handed me one of his CDs hot of the presses – and I have really enjoyed it.  For those of you who like Fernando Ortega or Michael Card, you will love this.  God allowed him to bring together skilled musicians to collaborate on this CD that will bring joy and rest to your personal walk with God.  This is from the CD site: “Arise, My Soul” in concept is an album meant to stir up holy affections for God. It is meant to be a recording that enables the listener to be drawn out of stress, distraction, sadness, discouragement, or fear into a state of blessedness, contentment, and adoration.”  The songs on this CD have been used to bring me peace – literally in the midst of a hail storm.

He arranged the songs, sang of course, and played on the CD as well – you will quickly find out that I’m marrying up when it comes to the talent department (and every other department as well)!

One of my favorite lines on the entire CD is found in verse 4 of song 2:

Then one day I’ll see Him as He sees me,
Face to face, the Lover and the loved;
No more words, the longing will be over:
There with my precious Jesus.

I love this because it speaks of a greater marriage that will take place when Jesus returns for me.  And makes me think of how our earthly marriages are a dim reflection of that great day.

And all the photos for the CD were taken by very talented photographer Rob McDorman

So – do you need rest for your soul in the music you listen to or just need some new music?  May I recommend this one!  Buy on iTunes or through the website or just contact me.  (I know where I can get some CDs)!

 

 

9 Feb 2011

Wednesday Words: Thy Mercy My God

by | posted in: Worship | 0

There are some hymns, new or old, that just stick with you.  I can read a word and a song will start playing in my head.  This is when I’m glad I have my own office because I can sing as loud as I want and no one will ever know the difference. 

This is the one I started singing today.  Thankful for the Sojourn Church where we sang this often during my time there.  I first was introduced to this song back in the day by Caedmon’s Call.  Sandra McCracken (wife of then CC singer, Derek Webb sings it mostly now).  You can watch a video of her singing it here (remind me I need to get this CD)

1. Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.

2. Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made mestill keeps me alive.

3. Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.

4. Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And thecovenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.

©2001 Same Old Dress Music (ASCAP).

8 Jun 2010

Kenny Chesney's Keg in the Closet

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 0
I was in the car about 12 hours this weekend, so I had plenty of time with the radio. I heard this song on Friday, really listened to the words more on Saturday. If I really believed this song – life would be depressing. Why get up? Is beer really that good? Even high quality beer – none of this lite stuff. 🙂 Now, I liked hanging with my friends during college, I like mason jars, etc.
I was going to share a video that you could hear the words more, but I opted for this live video from Washington because I think it illustrates well a life that may be lived with this mentality. And then below you will find the lyrics.
I love country music. But, I also listen to country music with ears and a heart pointed to Christ – so digesting them with a biblical worldview (hopefully, by grace).

We had a dog named Bocephus livin in the front yard
He liked sleeping out on top of the car
He drank beer out of a mason jar
And he’d climb up on everyone in bed

White frame house in a college town
A bunch of people always hanging around
No real problems we needed to drown
But we’d try our best anyway

We went to class just to pass the time
Back in ’89

We had a keg in the closet,
Pizza on the floor
Left over from the night before
Where we were going we didn’t really care
We had all we ever wanted
And that keg in the closet

This ol’ guitar taught me how to score
Right there on that Lambda Chi porch
Mary Ann taught me a little more
About wanting what you can’t have

Sweatshirts and flag football
Spring Breaks down in Panama
For a while we had it all
We never dreamed it wouldn’t last

17 May 2010

Jaron and the Theology of Country Music

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 2

Ah – the joy of learning your theology from country music.  I love country music – but this song made me want to puke – but I was in a rental car so I didn’t think that was such a good idea.

What other country music songs make you think twice about the base of your theology?  how do you handle praying for your enemies?

Luke 7.27-36 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

12 May 2010

Village Church's Jesus Came To Save Sinners – Children's CD

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My friend, Jared Kennedy, children’s pastor at Sojourn in Louisville – wrote a great post on the release of this new CD – which you can download for free.  So, I figured I would let him speak for it.  (Just a personal note: I received it Sunday 3rd hour and played it on the way home – easily memorable and great for kids of any age!)

Post image for Jesus Came to Save Sinners–Village Kids Album!

Village Church released their  new Kids CD on Sunday!  It’s called “The Village: Kids– Jesus Came To Save Sinners.”  You can download it for free from the Village website here: http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/music#albums\

This CD contains 5 original songs that teach children about the character and nature of God and His plan to save sinners through Jesus Christ.  These songs correspond with the five foundational truths taught as a part of Village’s preschool ministry, The Little Village:

  • Jesus Came to Save Sinners
  • God is Good
  • God is in Charge of Everything
  • God Wants to Talk with Us
  • God Made Everything

This great little gospel-centered Texas/Country/Rock LP for kids.  Village has asked folks to listen to the songs, give feedback, and use the songs in your home and ministry.  They are free on the Village website for download.  You can also download the chords and lyrics for free.  And just for those who need to get their songs off of iTunes, you can find the CD here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-village-kids-jesus-came/id370898822